Grave of race attack victim Anthony Walker vandalised

The grave of a black teenager killed in a notorious racist attack has been vandalised, police said today.

Anthony Walker, 18, was murdered in July 2005 when an ice axe was embedded in his skull.

The student was killed by Liverpool thugs Michael Barton and his cousin Paul Taylor in McGoldrick Park, Huyton, Merseyside, after they bellowed racist abuse at him.

Barton was convicted of murder and Taylor admitted murder during their trial several months later.

Today, Merseyside Police said yobs had damaged Anthony's grave when they went on a wrecking spree in Toxteth Cemetery at the weekend.

Anthony's family were contacted by police on Saturday after staff at the south Liverpool cemetery discovered the damage.

The young man's final resting place was one of several damaged in the early hours of the morning.

Headstones were pushed over and tributes scattered across the site.

But there was no indication Anthony's grave was specifically targeted.

Forensic officers spent the weekend at the site on Smithdown Road looking for clues they hope will help track down the offenders.

Police are in the process of contacting other families who had graves damaged.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that one of the graves damaged in Toxteth Cemetery over the weekend was that of Anthony Walker, however there is no evidence that his grave was the target of the attack.

"We have been in contact with Anthony's family and are in the process of attempting to contact all of the other families who had graves damaged in the same incident."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious overnight on Friday or who knows who was behind the damage should call the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.